MEDIA ADVISORY, Mar. 20 /Christian Newswire/ -- A recent newswire reported that Father Thomas J. Euteneuer, president of Human Life International, "called on all who love life to join in praying and fasting to end abortion." But will God hear?

In Isaiah 58, Israel says, "Why have we fasted, and You have not seen it?" God replies that on the day of their fast they exploit their workers, their fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. "You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high."

If churches collude with abusive husbands, refuse to show mercy to the abused wives among them, and to set them free from their oppressive, life-threatening husbands, how can they expect God to hear their prayers on behalf of the unborn?

God says, "Is not this the fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice, and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free?"

Abusive "Christian" husbands exploit their wives, making them into slaves to be dishonored and demeaned. They quarrel and create conflict. Some beat their wives.

If an exploitive husband hits his wife on the head, or shoves her, causing her to fall and hit her head, the church could be dealing with a woman severely injured or dead. A man who berates or demeans his wife, is a mere step away from an action that could kill her.

Head injuries kill. Actress Natasha Richardson, the mom in the "Parent Trap" remake, suffered a head injury during a ski lesson on a beginners' trail. March 18 she died.

Head injuries maim. Kathryn, who survived brain trauma at the hands of her pastor-husband, years later, has brain lesions from the concussions, which cause severe headaches and a release of spinal fluid in her uncontrollable nose bleeds. Doctors fear for her life and suspect her brain trauma is deepening into debilitating disease.

Evangelicals need to take domestic abuse, even non-physical abuse, seriously, hold the abuser accountable, and unchain the oppressed wife. Then God will hear their prayers.

Waneta Dawn is the author of "Behind the Hedge," a novel that portrays a Christian wife and children who are besieged with non-physical abuse from their husband and father.